Splitsville: Mariners take the nightcap and deny Red Sox a sweep

Associated Press file photoAdrian Beltre, center, was ejected from Wednesday night's Red Sox loss to Seattle. It was Beltre's second ejection; the first came with the Dodgers in 2002.

BOSTON - The Red Sox took one small step toward the American League East leaders Wednesday, but they could have used more.

Josh Beckett fired six strong innings in a 5-3 afternoon win over Seattle, but Boston had to settle for a day-night doubleheader split when the Mariners took a 4-2 nightcap at Fenway Park.

The second game had some fireworks, when third baseman Adrian Beltre and manager Terry Francona were ejected by plate umpire Dan Bellino at the start of the third inning.

There was more drama later on. With Boston trailing 4-2 in the eighth, and first base open with two out, Mariners manager Daren Brown chose to pitch to David Ortiz.

Big Papi was 3-for-10 lifetime against Brandon League, the Seattle reliever. The on-deck hitter was to be rookie Yamaico Navarro, who had taken Beltre's spot, but pinch-hitter Mike Lowell was already in the on-deck circle.

Ortiz ripped a sizzling liner to left, Matt Tuiasosopo looked uncertain, but snagged it to end the threat and give Brown's gamble a payoff.

Seattle right-hander Felix Hernandez held the Red Sox to four hits in 7 1/3 innings.

He bested Tim Wakefield, who got the spot start after the Red Sox reported Daisuke Matsuzaka was experiencing lower back soreness.

That pushed Wednesday night starter Jon Lester back to Friday, a night Matsuzaka had been scheduled to open a huge series at Tampa Bay.

Jose Lopez' two-run single in the third hurt Wakefield (3-10), who left with a 4-1 deficit in the sixth.

J.D. Drew's sixth-inning home run dented the deficit only a bit.

A long day and night of baseball left the Red Sox 5 1/2 games behind Tampa Bay, which lost Wednesday.

A sweep would have moved Boston to within 4 1/2, but it was not to be.

The opener saw Beckett dominate for six innings, only to let Seattle back in with a three-run seventh.

"I don't think he was tired. The score dictated a change,'' manager Terry Francona said of pulling Beckett after Boston's 4-0 lead had become 4-3.

"The good news is that he pitched pretty well. The better news is that we had Daniel Bard behind him.''

Ichiro Suzuki's leadoff infield single in the first was the Mariners' only hit until the seventh, when Russell Branyan homered, Jose Lopez singled and Casey Kotchman homered.

Enter Bard, who pitched through the eighth. Jonathan Papelbon followed and earned his 32nd save.

After winning for the first time in four starts. Beckett was asked if the first six innings reflected his work, or the seventh.

"I don't know. That's a good question,'' said a puzzled Beckett (4-3).

Papelbon pitched a 1-2-3 ninth. He was not rattled when umpiring crew chief Joe West told him to pick up the pace.

The closer wanted to make sure the rain-soaked mound was safe, he said.

PEDROIA WATCH: Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is awaiting the results of tests on his broken left foot. Surgery has not been ruled out.

Dr. Jonathan Deland and Dr. Robert Anderson are each assigned to study the foot. Pedroia told media that Deland is in Austria, so his findings could be delayed.